To Touch Ground

Lyrics

Barrington men are a stern enough crew
For Miss Ally to sail from Woods Harbour
She was just 7 years so was still in her prime
To pull halibut from the cold water

At the three times her age the skipper was young
But the trust he had earned from 4 others
Down past the church and it’s out to the pier
Towards the waves that had turned them to brothers

TO TOUCH GROUND, BOYS
TO TOUCH GROUND
WORK AWAY WHILE WE TALK OF THE DAY
WE TOUCH GROUND

In the cold of the year, the bills still come due
So to sea to put food on the table
On a deck that won’t stay, as fatigue wracks your legs
Bait the lines just as long as you’re able
Then nature comes hard with the swells and hre squalls
You turn to and you haul in that cable
‘Fore you need to run home as the gale brings the spray
That lays ice enough to make you unstable

FIGHT THE SWAY WHILE WE CURSE AND WE PRAY
WE’LL TOUCH GROUND

In the teeth of a gale ride from top of the world
To the depth of a well like no other
Then it’s up the next rise as she rolls to the side
And you’re always surrounded by water
No sleep tonight ’till you bring her to shore
As it feels like your hell’s freezing over
You’d give every dime that you’ve seen just to leave
The arms of this storm like no other

HOLD THE LIGHT AS WE CUT THROUGH THE NIGHT
TO TOUCH GROUND

The ships plied the waves, the planes crossed the skies
They searched from below and above
For five who knew risk, who challenged the odds
To provide for the ones that they love
Though the waves don’t hold back, and the winds won’t abate
Through the currents that do what they will
More race through the fray for the chance they can save
Or find news to bring home to the hill

IF AT LEAST TO GIVE LOVED ONES SOME PEACE
WE’LL TOUCH GROUND

Leave a Reply

by Lee Vickery & Devin Melanson

I was very intrigued to discover this song for it seems to have started as something quite different. It is unusual to be able to hear how a song evolves but we have the opportunity to do so in this case, for Lee Vickery posted his first attempt at a tribute song here. With the help of Devin Melanson, it turned into the song presented here.